Bowen pushes pragmatic climate deal amid pressure over fossil fuels

Résumé détaillé

Chris Bowen says Australia's coal and gas exports have not damaged its standing in climate negotiations, as countries struggle to agree on how to move away from fossil fuels.

Chris Bowen has rejected criticism of Australia’s climate leadership over its continued coal and gas exports.

The climate change and energy minister says countries must be realistic about the transition to cleaner energy.

Negotiations at COP31 will intensify next week as Australia seeks agreement on electrification and climate finance.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has defended Australia's credibility as a global climate negotiator and signalled a pragmatic approach to securing a deal at COP31 amid pressure for a stronger international commitment to move away from fossil fuels.

Mr Bowen has questioned why the Coalition sought to diminish Australia's role on the world stage and singled out Opposition Leader Angus Taylor for attacking expenses introduced during his own time as minister.

"Does he want one lump of hypocrisy or two with his coffee?" Mr Bowen told the ABC in an interview on the sidelines of COP31 in Türkiye.

Australia holds the presidency of negotiations at the summit, putting Mr Bowen at the centre of efforts to secure agreement between more than 190 countries on the next steps to tackle climate change.

"My job is to steer consensus to the most ambitious outcome that consensus will allow," he said.

That task has become more complicated as momentum builds behind a renewed push for a plan to transition away from fossil fuels.

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